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Articles of Confederation

Total questions: 109

Worksheet time: 3hrs 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
True or False?  The Articles of Confederation had a strong central government.
a)
True
b)
False
2.
How many states did it require to pass any law through Congress?
a)
5 out of 13
b)
10 out of 13
c)
9 out of 13
d)
2 out of 13
3.
In order to change (amend) the Articles of Confederation,  __________ out of 13 states had to agree. 
a)
9
b)
10
c)
13
d)
15
4.
In the Articles of Confederation, where was most of the government power placed?
a)
The States
b)
The National Government
c)
The Continental Congress
d)
The Legislative Branch
5.
Who led the farmers against the government of Massachusetts?
a)
Daniel Shays
b)
the Government
c)
all of the farmers were leaders
d)
Thomas Hobbes
6.

Shays' Rebellion represented...

a)

a success of the Articles of Confederation

b)

a failure of the Articles of Confederation

7.

The main cause for many of the rules in the Articles of Confederation was that the delegates at the Continental Congress...

a)

did not want to give the states too much power because they'd proven they were willing to rebel against a government.

b)

wanted to create a government that was identical to England's government.

c)

were concerned about giving the central government too much power because the King had used his power unfairly.

d)

wanted to unify the states together, which included creating one army and one type of currency.

8.

Who was the president under the articles?

a)

George Washington

b)

Each governor voted on a president

c)

The most senior Senator

d)

There wasn't one

9.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the government could

a)

sign treaties and create taxes

b)

declare war and create taxes

c)

sign treaties and declare war

d)

none of the above

10.

How many colonies were there in total?

a)

12

b)

14

c)

13

d)

11

11.
One major problem with the Articles of Confederation is that Congress could not ______ the citizens to raise money.
a)
tax
b)
ask
c)
demand
d)
force
12.
Americans were afraid that a __?__ would lead to tyranny, or oppressive rule.
a)
strong state government
b)
weak government
c)
strong central government
d)
legslature
13.
Which branch of government existed when the Articles of Confederation was created?
a)
Legislative (congress)
b)
Judicial (Supreme court)
c)
Executive (President)
d)
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
14.

Which of the following GAVE LARGE AND SMALL STATES COMPLETELY EQUAL POWER?

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Constitution

c)

Both

15.
Articles established a “___________________” among the states
a)
firm league of friendship
b)
weak connection among countries
c)
long history of violence 
d)
a brisk admiration for sovereignty 
16.
What did Shays' Rebellion help Americans realize they needed?
a)
A strong national government
b)
A stronger militia
c)
A common currency
d)
The ability to sign peace treaties
17.

Ultimately, the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation lead to the creation of -

a)

the Treaty of Paris

b)

the Affordable Care Act

c)

the U.S. Constitution

d)

the Declaration of Independence

18.

What 2 rivers border the Northwest Territory?

a)

Ohio River & Mississippi River

b)

Missouri River & Mississippi River

c)

Hudson River & Ohio River

d)

Rio Grande River & Mississippi River

19.
What is the name of the first written plan of government in America?
a)
Constitution
b)
Treaty of Paris
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
Articles of Confederation
20.
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state get when voting on a new law?
a)
Zero
b)
One
c)
Two 
d)
Three
21.

What is a FEDERAL government?

a)

A system of government that divides power between the national (central) and local governments.

b)

A system of government that divides power between the national (central) , state, and local governments

c)

A system of government where the national (central) government holds all the power.

d)

A system of government that divides power between the international and national (central) governments.

22.

What does CENTRAL government mean in the United States?

a)

The national government in Washington, D.C.

b)

The state government in Lansing, Michigan.

c)

The local government in Saginaw, Michigan.

23.

The Articles of Confederation were created because...

a)

The new United States needed a President and needed to elect National Leaders.

b)

After the Revolutionary War, the United States had to create a new government.

c)

The new states had to figure out how their economies were going to thrive.

d)

After the Revolutionary War, the United States needed a system to address the issue of slavery.

24.

Americans initally believed that the central government needed to be extremely...

a)

strong

b)

neutral

c)

weak

25.

Initially, the United States wanted to give the ____ the most power.

a)

schools

b)

cities

c)

central government

d)

states

26.

The central government did have the power to sign peace treaties with other countries.

a)

True

b)

False

27.

The central government did not have the power to control trade with other countries.

a)

True

b)

False

28.

Under the AOC, the central government did have the power to declare war.

a)

True

b)

False

29.

Under the AOC, the central government could NOT ask for soldiers to serve in the army.

a)

True

b)

False

30.

Under the AOC, the central government could NOT tax the states.

a)

True

b)

False

31.

Under the AOC, the central government had the power to settle disputes between states.

a)

True

b)

False

32.

Under the AOC, the central government could NOT control trade bewteen the states.

a)

True

b)

False

33.

Under the AOC, the central government could enforce and change laws.

a)

True

b)

False

34.

In order to amend (change) the Articles of Confederation, all 13 states had to agree.

a)

True

b)

False

35.
What is the name of the first written plan of government in America?
a)
Constitution
b)
Treaty of Paris
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
Articles of Confederation
36.
Americans were afraid that a __?__ would lead to tyranny, or oppressive rule.
a)
strong state government
b)
weak government
c)
strong central government
d)
legslature
37.
Under the Articles of Confederation, most of the power was where?
a)
Legislative branch
b)
the president
c)
the states
d)
national government
38.
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state get when voting on a new law?
a)
Zero
b)
One
c)
Two 
d)
Three
39.
How many branches of government were there under the Articles of Confederation?
a)
One
b)
Zero
c)
Two
d)
Three
40.
Which of the following was NOT a power of Congress under the Articles of Confederation?
a)
Create a plan for the Northwest Territory
b)
Negotiate treaties
c)
Levy taxes
d)
Declare war and peace
41.
Anti-Federalists preferred a strong ____________ government.
a)
National
b)
State
c)
Central
d)
Republican
42.
Which is a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
a)
Congress couldn't collect taxes
b)
Weak central government
c)
Provided for no common currency
d)
All of the these
43.
The Continental Congress set up the Northwest Ordinance to sell _______ to pay off the debt from the war.
a)
crops
b)
land
c)
slaves
d)
none of these
44.
The unsettled area past the Appalachian Mountains, where Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin are today, was known as the - 
a)
Northwest Territory
b)
Southwest Territory
c)
Western Territory
d)
Indian Territory
45.
The Northwest Ordinance provided a pathway for territories to apply for
a)
statehood
b)
federal funding
c)
infrastructure grants
46.
Under the Articles of Confederation Congress could only pass a law if ____________ out 13 states agreed. 
a)
13
b)
8
c)
9
d)
10
47.
One weakness of the Articles Of Confederation was that it lacked which 2 branches of government?
a)
Legislative & Executive
b)
Executive & Judicial
c)
Judicial & Legislative
d)
Executive & Oak
48.
Why was the U.S. Army so weak under the Articles of Confederation?
a)
There was only 1 branch of government
b)
States could refuse to provide soldiers
c)
The nation had no common currency
d)
All of the above
49.
Which branch of government existed when the Articles of Confederation was created?
a)
Legislative (congress)
b)
Judicial (Supreme court)
c)
Executive (President)
d)
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
50.
Which of the following weaknesses  in the Articles of Confederation does  this picture represent?
a)
no common currency (money)
b)
no executive branch
c)
no power to tax
d)
one vote for each state
51.
Why was this first U.S. government so weak?
a)
King George III  was still in charge of USA
b)
Americans were afraid to give their new government too much power
c)
The American army did not win their independence from Great Britain and King George III
d)
ask; no
52.
Because of the Articles  of  Confederarion the government could NOT regulate(control) ______ among the states.
a)
food quality
b)
laws
c)
travel
d)
commerce (trade)
53.
Why was this first U.S. government so weak?
a)
King George III  was still in charge of USA
b)
Americans were afraid to give their new government too much power
c)
The American army did not win their independence from Great Britain and King George III
d)
ask; no
54.

What was outlawed in the new territories by the Northwest Ordinance?

a)

Slavery

b)

Buying land

c)

Selling goods

d)

Fighting

55.

Each state used the SAME money under the Articles of Confederation.

a)

True

b)

False

56.

The Articles of Confederation was important because it –

a)

created a means for establishing the executive branch

b)

provided every citizen in America the right to vote

c)

enabled each of the 13 states to make separate treaties with foreign nations

d)

was the first form of government for America

57.

The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to levy taxes on citizens.  This led to -

a)

states taxing their citizens then giving all their funds to the federal government

b)

the federal government seizing lands from Loyalist during the American Revolution to generate revenue

c)

   the federal government being unable to pay off its war debts

d)

a protest by members of congress because of their lack of funding

58.

According to the idea of Popular Sovereignty, who has the power?

a)

The President of the United States

b)

The Supreme Court

c)

The Senate

d)

The people

59.

Who was Daniel Shays?

a)

The President of the Proclamation of 1763

b)

A farmer who loved his country and never did anything illegal

c)

A founding father

d)

A farmer who led a revolt in Massachusetts

60.

What is a Constitution?

a)

A former plan for government

b)

A formal plan of government

c)

A formal pair of shoes

d)

A formal plan of action

61.

The idea that a group of states would be held under a federal government?

a)

Articles of Consideration

b)

Declaration of Dependence

c)

The US Constitution

d)

Federalism

62.

Because they did not want another overly powerful leader like King George, the colonists wanted a ______________ central government.

a)

harsh

b)

large

c)

strong

d)

weak

63.

Who had the most power under the Articles?

a)

The national government

b)

The state governments

64.

Why were laws difficult to enact (create)?

a)

There was no set method for making laws

b)

9 out of the 13 states had to approve of each law

c)

2/3 of the people in the country had to vote to approve laws

d)

Every single state had to approve of each law

65.

The states included in this land ordinance made up the...

a)

Northern Territory

b)

Midwest Territory

c)

Northwest Territory

d)

Great Lakes Territory

66.

What did the Northwest Ordinance say about slavery?

a)

It banned slavery in the Northwest Territories

b)

It banned the slave trade throughout the country

c)

It declared slavery legal in the Northwest Territories

d)

It didn't mention slavery

67.

Why did farmers rebel and take over courthouses in Shay's Rebellion?

a)

They were in debt and their farms were being taken

b)

They wanted America to return to Great Britain's control

c)

They were angry about tea taxes

d)

They wanted to become judges

68.

What was the outcome of Shay's Rebellion

a)

It showed that the federal government needed to be stronger to defend and fund itself

b)

It showed that the federal government needed to be weaker to keep the people happy

c)

It led to the U.S. Civil War

d)

It showed that the farmers should not have to pay taxes

69.
Why was the U.S. Army so weak under the Articles of Confederation?
a)
There was only 1 branch of government
b)
States could refuse to provide soldiers
c)
The nation had no common currency
d)
All of the above
70.
What legislative body created the Articles of Confederation?
a)
The Senate
b)
The House of Representatives
c)
The First Continental Congress
d)
The Second Continental Congress
71.

Who was the governor of the Lost State of Franklin?

a)

William Blount

b)

John Sevier

c)

John Donelson

d)

Benjamin Franklin

72.

Why was the state of Franklin called Franklin?

a)

It was named Franklin after a friend of John Sevier's.

b)

It was named to mean free land.

c)

It was named in honor of Benjamin Franklin.

73.

Which state did Tennessee and the State of Franklin used to be a part of?

a)

South Carolina

b)

North Carolina

c)

Virginia

d)

Kentucky

74.

Another name for the Southwest Territory is:

a)

Territory Southwest of the River Ohio

b)

Territory South of the River Ohio

c)

Territory North of the River Ohio

d)

Territory Northwest of the River Ohio

75.

Why did the people of Tennessee dislike being part of North Carolina after the American Revolution?

a)

Most people in North Carolina had not supported the British, and most people in Tennessee had.

b)

The North Carolina capital was too close, and the government was too involved in Tennesseans’ business.

c)

The North Carolina capital was far away, and the government could not protect Tennesseans from American Indians.

d)

Most people in North Carolina wanted the Tennesseans to pay more in taxes than they did.

76.

Why did the state of Franklin fail?

a)

The settlers disagreed over control of the government.

b)

The settlers disagreed about whether or not John Sevier should be governor.

c)

The settlers disagreed about what territory should be included in Franklin.

d)

The settlers disagreed about state boundaries.

77.

Why did North Carolina give up its western region?

a)

To satisfy the demands of the Tennesseans

b)

To get a better area of territory in exchange

c)

To pay a debt to the United States

d)

To protect the territory from American Indian attacks

78.

Under which rules did the state of Franklin fail to qualify as a state?

a)

The Constitution

b)

The Declaration of Independence

c)

The Articles of Confederation

79.

How much population was needed in the territory in order to become a state?

a)

77,000

b)

65,000

c)

70,000

d)

60,000

80.

After the population requirement was met, what was the next step in statehood?

a)

Elect a govenor

b)

Write a Constitution

c)

Call for a constitutional convention

d)

Create a state name

81.

The State of Franklin was located in _________ Tennessee.

a)

West

b)

Middle

c)

East

d)

Northern

82.

Why was Daniel Shays, a veteran and Massachusetts farmer, frustrated and angry?

a)

He wanted to be recognized for service to his country.

b)

Poor farmers were being taxed heavily by the central government

c)

The government stole his livestock to feed troops

d)

Poor farmers were being taxed heavily by the state government

83.

When Massachusetts raised taxes, it affect which of the following group the most?

a)

Native Americans

b)

The British

c)

Merchants, artisans, and creditors

d)

Poor farmers

84.

What happened as a result of Shays' Rebellion?

a)

A national army was immediately created through a unanimous vote in Congress.

b)

The Constitutional Convention meeting was called to discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

c)

Massachusetts changed its laws so that farmers would not have their land seized.

d)

Revolutionary War veterans were finally paid for their service.

85.

The Northwest Territory was located...

a)

north and west of the Ohio River, including present day Ohio

b)

south and east of the Louisiana Purchase

c)

in the present day Northwest region, including the states of Oregon and Washington

d)

in present day Canada

86.

Which documents are in the correct chronological order?

a)

Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance, The Constitution

b)

Northwest Ordinance, Declaration of Independence, The Constitution

c)

The Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, Declaration of Independence

d)

Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Northwest Ordinance

87.

In what year was the NW Ordinance ratified?

a)

1787

b)

1482

c)

1776

d)

1864

88.

What did the Northwest Ordinance say about slavery?

a)

Slavery was outlawed

b)

Slavery was never mentioned

c)

Only white males could own slaves

d)

Slaves were guaranteed the right to vote

89.

What is an ordinance?

a)

The leader of a monarchy

b)

A rule, law or decree

c)

A democratic vote

d)

Another word for territory

90.

Under what governing document was the Northwest Ordinance created?

a)

The Declaration of Independence

b)

The Articles of Confederation

c)

The Ohio State Constitution

d)

The United States Constitution

91.

By winning what war did the U.S. gain the land from the Atlantic in the east to the Mississippi River in the West?

a)

The Civil War

b)

The Revolutionary War

c)

The Spanish-American War

d)

The War of 1812

92.
The Land Ordinance of 1785 decided how land in the Northwest Territory would be ____________
a)
sold
b)
measured and divided
c)
given to the Indians
d)
given back to the British
93.

One of the biggest problems facing the US after the Revolution was...

a)

George Washington's retirement

b)

The huge amount of debt the country had

c)

The British dragging their feet to sign the Treaty of Paris

d)

The number of people still loyal to the king

94.

Why were farmers in Massachusetts so upset in 1786 and 1787?

a)

The US was getting ready to go to war with France and they'd have to be soldiers again

b)

The national government kept raising taxes on farmers to pay off the war debt

c)

They were losing their farms because they could not afford the taxes on them

d)

No one would buy their crops because they were over priced

95.

In the fall of 1787, because of Shays' Rebellion, what did government leaders do?

a)

They decided Massachusetts couldn't be a state anymore

b)

They allowed all the states to become independent countries

c)

They met in Philadelphia to fix the Articles of Confederation

d)

They switched to a French model of government

96.

The Northwest Ordinance was created in 1787 and included a plan for

a)

growth of the United States

b)

Manifest Destiny

c)

The Declaration of Independence

d)

The 13 Colonies

97.

How did the state of Massachusetts plan on paying off its debt?

a)

Raising taxes

b)

Borrowing money from the French

c)

Borrowing money from the Spanish

d)

Having a Bake Sale

98.

How did the Massachusetts government react when the farmers complained about the high taxes?

a)

The government understood their concerns

b)

The government worked with them to find a solution

c)

The government ignored them

d)

The government lowered their taxes

99.

Who emerged as a leader of this farmer rebellion?

a)

George Washington

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

Ben Franklin

d)

Daniel Shays

100.

What are the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The name of the first system of government used by the United States

b)

The name of the peace treaty between Great Britain and the United States

c)

The name of one of the first newspapers in the United States

d)

The name of the first Congressional meeting

101.

Why did the authors of the Articles of Confederation create such a weak national government?

a)

They did not understand how to create a strong national government.

b)

They wanted to avoid creating a dictatorship where states were told what to do by a larger national power.

c)

They wanted to make it easier for citizens to rebel when they were upset at the government.

d)

All of the above.

102.

What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation government? Select all that apply:

a)

No chief executive (president)

b)

All laws had to be passed by a basic majority vote

c)

No national court system

d)

No Congress

103.

What weakness of the Articles of Confederation contributed to Shays' Rebellion? Select all that apply:

a)

The U.S. couldn't tax citizens.

b)

There was no national currency.

c)

There was no president.

d)

There was no national army.

104.

Why were many farmers poor and in debt in Massachusetts?

a)

They lost money trying to convert their currency between states.

b)

They were not paid for their service as soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

c)

They had to pay too much money in national taxes.

d)

They had large medical bills to pay after the Revolutionary War.

105.

What did Massachusetts courts do when farmers could not pay their debts in gold or silver?

a)

They forced the farmers to become soldiers.

b)

They made the farmers into slaves.

c)

They sentenced the farmers to death.

d)

They seized and sold farmers' land, livestock, and crops.

106.

How many farmers were involved in Shays' Rebellion?

a)

100,000

b)

1,500

c)

2,000

d)

10,000

107.

What did the army of farmers do during Shays' Rebellion?

a)

They threw British tea into Boston Harbor.

b)

They stopped judges from ruling on cases where farmers' property might be taken.

c)

They freed inmates from debtors' prison.

d)

They tarred and feathered tax collectors.

108.

How long did Shays' Rebellion last?

a)

One year

b)

A year and a half

c)

Two years

d)

Six months

109.

What happened as a result of Shays' Rebellion?

a)

A national army was immediately created through a unanimous vote in Congress.

b)

The Constitutional Convention meeting was called to discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

c)

Massachusetts changed its laws so that farmers would not have their land seized.

d)

Revolutionary War veterans were finally paid for their service.